Tractor Plates Massey

[tractordj]

Hi,

I do not own a tractor but need some advice from the experts on here. I recently lost my grandfather and going through his belongings (in his shed) we discovered a large quantity of blank serial/vin/oecd plates but to name a few. There were 41 different plates with large quantities of each. I live in the uk by the way and know my grandfather used to work at the coventry MF site so assume they came from there either when he worked there or when the site was closed.

Anyway, I have no idea what to do with these plates but assume he was holding onto them for some reason. Am I holding onto basically scrap aluminium or are these things worth anything to anyone and is it even legal to own them or sell them?

Any advice given will be appreciated.

 

[murphy1244]

:welcome:

 

[MIKE R]

Welcome to the forum.

I think they are worth something to collectors who want a period accurate plate on their tractor. Also for it to be original.

 

[kensnelling]

Welcome from Oklahoma. Not sure about the UK, but in the US it is illegal for an individual be in possesion of unstamped manufacturer VIN plates. Speaking hypothetically, I would destroy them (as in melting down to a blob) and sell them as scrap. If recognizable could have some bad consequences.

Ken

 

[Briana03]

Welcome to TBN

I moved your thread to the Parts/Repairs forum.

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome from Oklahoma. Not sure about the UK, but in the US it is illegal for an individual be in possesion of unstamped manufacturer VIN plates. Speaking hypothetically, I would destroy them (as in melting down to a blob) and sell them as scrap. If recognizable could have some bad consequences.

Ken

You sure about that? There's people that sell those a swap meets.

 

[kensnelling]

Yes I am sure. I cannot state individual stautes, but after over 30 years in the automotive/motorcycle business I can state that the OEMs would not sell a blank VIN plate, or a sticker with the VIN, to an individual. For automobile manufactured before VIN plates were mandated to be placed on the top of the instrument panel there was a procedure to order a restamped VIM plate, but it was an ordeal. Even getting the rosebud rivets for the plate requires a great deal of effort.

The reasons we were given were that if you had a blank VIN plate you could restamp, you could put whatever you wanted to legally own a stolen vehicle. I know I'm talking automobiles here, and the OP was asking about tractors, but the concept (and laws) are the same. The manufacturer's assigned serial number is what identifies an item, whether it's a truck, tractor, or television. Even if you want to replace the faded, damaged VIN plate on your own vehicle, due to the possiblity of fraud it is illegal to remove one VIN plate and put a different one in it's place, even if you have restamped it.

I haven't noticed any dealers selling replacement VIN plates at swap meets for several years, but if they are I'm all for them getting busted for it. I'd hate to have one of my tractors, trucks, motorcycles or televisions stolen and not be able to identify it because someone was able to easily change the VIN/serial number plate.

Ken

 

[murphy1244]

I am NOT going to argue law with you, Since I'm sure your a lawyer but I've seen plates sold at tractor and auto meets. I'm talking old plates not on the dash.

 

[tractordj]

Thanks all for your advice, looks like if the laws the same this side of the pond, I need to scrap these out to stop them getting into the wrong peoples hands.

 

[MIKE R]

Hey, I don't see anything wrong with having them. How can it be illegal if you are able to purchase them for tractors? I bought a blank one for mine to replace the old faded, scratched one. I stamped my own numbers in it.

At $20 a tag you got some money if you can find the right buyers.

 

[tractordj]

Thanks Mike, this is very confusing, I dont want to scrap them if I can get rid of them legally but dont want to do anything outside of the law with them. If i have a gold mine I dont want to throw it away. Where did you buy your replacement plate from and does it have to be on a tractor of a certain age to be outside of the law?

 

[MHarryE]

You said there are 41 different type plates with a large number of each type. You said they likely came from the Massey Coventry plant at which he worked but you didn't state for certain that they were labeled Massey. Are they Massey plates or are they generic serial number plates? It would seem that if the plates were controlled the plant would have held them in a secure place and destroyed them when the facility closed. I have had blank plates given out as souvenirs when a company changed hands and new plates with the new company came into being, but that was 30 years ago. It is likely the old plates you have are just that - souvenirs. They can be used by people doing restorations. I have a 1929 Case CC for which I would love to have a new plate as the original is faded to where only the stamped numbers are legible.

 

[tractordj]

These are Massey plates and have the name on, they have the rivet holes and all have a part number on the bottom, I dont think they are souveniers.

 

[kensnelling]

I am NOT going to argue law with you, Since I'm sure your a lawyer but I've seen plates sold at tractor and auto meets. I'm talking old plates not on the dash.

Don't remember ever saying I was a lawyer, I was just telling some of the US Government regulations we had to operate under (at least through Dec 2011). The original poster asked advice, which I gave, same as you. Really no concern of mine what anyone else does as long as it doesn't affect me.

Ken